Polokwane City have a two-week break until their next fixture at home to Lamontville Golden Arrows on 12 March, allowing coach Phuti Mehafe time to prepare as they keep up their quest for a club-high finish at the end of the Betway Premiership season.
Polokwane City sit in fourth spot but only trail third-placed Sekhukhune United on goal difference and have a strong chance of qualifying for African club competition for the first time.
Third place would see them compete in the African Confederation Cup next season, an ambition that Mehafe says is well within reach
“Honestly speaking, last season we surprised ourselves when we qualified for the top eight,” he revealed.
“And even now, we are so surprised that we are fighting for the third spot. But I think with us being there, it has triggered the mentality of saying “if you can do it, then why not?’ Let's try to fight for it,” Mehafe added.
Polokwane City’s best previous finish was fifth in the 2018-19 season but the next campaign they were relegated, taking three years before they returned to the top flight.
The club have not won any of their last six games but are also struggling with a long injury list.
Mehafe said he hoped that highly rated left back Tholo Matuludi and striker Hlayisi Chauke would be back in action soon.
“In general we've got six injuries and very serious injuries, and those injuries are long term injuries, but I think with Matuludi and Chauke, they might be back in the coming two or three weeks. They've already started with their rehabilitation, so I think they will be coming back,” Mehafe added.